Catheter



Sept. 7, 1954 F. J. WALLACE CATHETER Filed March 19, 1953 Patented Sept. 7, 1954 CATHETER Frederick J. Wallace, New York, N.,Y., assignor to American Cystoscope Makers, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 19, 1953, Serial No. 343,329

6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the art of catheters. The invention relates particularly to a catheter embodying-means for effecting deflection of its distal end portion, whereby to facilitate introduction of the catheter into a body channel that branches off from the main body channel through which the catheter is inserted.

In certain catheterization procedures it is frequently desirable to be able to deflect the distal end portion of a catheter in order that it may enter a channel or vessel that branches ofi from a main channel. For example, if a catheter is inserted into the pelvis of the kidney by way of the urethra or ureter under X-ray observation, it may be desirable to actuate the distal end portion of the catheter so as to facilitate its entry into one of the calices of the kidney. Also it is desirable, at times, in cardiac catheterization or in catheterization of veins or arteries, to similarly deflect the catheter whereby it may more readily enter the heart. The catheter of this invention may be advantageously employed for these purposes. Moreover, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, my catheter may be used for other purposes such as (a) obtaining samples of blood from the heart, (b) measuring blood pressure within the heart, (0) obtaining samples of body fluid from various body orifices, or (d) transmitting liquid medication to desired locations within the body.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a catheter having incorporated therein means, operable from its proximal end, for effecting deflection of its distal end portion, whereby to facilitate introduction of the catheter into a body channel that branches off from a main channel through which the catheter is inserted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a catheter of the character indicated that is simple in design, reasonable in cost, and capable of performing its intended functions in a satisfactory manner.

The enumerated objects, as well as other objects, together with the advantages attainable by the practice of this invention will be readily understood by persons versed in the art upon reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing, which, respectively, describes and illustrates a catheter constructed in accordance with the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a catheter embodying the invention, the distal end portion of the catheter, when partly deflected, being shown in dot and dash lines;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central longitudinal cross section view of the catheter shown in Fig. 1, parts being broken away and other parts being omitted;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in end elevationof the catheter, as seen from the left of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a view in enlargement taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views, numeral Ii) generally indicates a catheter that includes an elongated flexible tubular member 12 having a fluid passage l4 and an actuator passage it. Secured to the forward end of the tubular member is a metallic tip member l8 that is rounded at its free extremity 20. The tip member has a through passage 22 that communicates with and constitutes a continuation of fluid passage M.

A generally Y-shaped metallic device 24 is affixed to the rear end of the tubular member and comprises a stem 26 and a pair of divergent arms 28 and 30. Arm 28 is provided with a passage 32 that communicates with fluid passage 14 and terminates in a tubular fitting 34 which is adapted to be connected to a source of suitable liquid supply or other equipment (not shown). Arm 3!] is provided with a passage 36 that communicates with actuator passage [6 and is formed at its free end with a flange 38.

The catheter includes actuating means, generally denoted by numeral 40 and comprising a flexible connector 42, such as a steel wire or a filament of a suitable plastic material, a threaded rod 44, a ball knob 46, and a knurled nut 48. Connector 42, as shown, extends through actuator passage l6 and is secured at one end to tip member 18, and at its other end to rod 44 which is reciprocable in passage 36 of arm 30. Knob 45 serves as a gripping means to efifect axial movement of rod 44 and connector 42 with respect to Y-shaped member 24, toward the right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2. This causes deflection of the distal end portion of the catheter to the dot-dash line position shown in Fig. 1. Nut 48 threadedly engages rod 44 and is positioned intermediate flange 38 and knob 46. After the distal end portion of the catheter is deflected to desired position, nut 48 may be turned and brought to rest against flange 38 thereby maintaining the catheter distal end portion in selected deflected position.

Thus it will be seen that the construction herein shown and described is well adapted to accomplish the objects of the present invention. It will be understood, however, that the invention may be embodied otherwise than here shown, and that in the form illustrated certain obvious changes in construction may be made. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited precisely to the construction herein shown except as may be required by the appended claims considered with reference to the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a catheter, an elongated flexible tubular member having a fluid passage and an actuator passage that is independent of the fluid passage, a tip member secured to the distal end of thetubular member and having a through passage communicating with the fluid passage, a rigid device secured to the proximal end of the tubular member and having a first passage communicating with the fluid passage and a second passage independent of the first passage and communicating with the actuator passage, and means secured to the tip member and slidahle through the actuator and second passages for effecting deflection of the distal end portion or the tubular member.

2. In a catheter, an elongated flexible tubular member having a fluid passage and an actuator passage that is independent of the fluid passage, a tip member secured to the distal end of the tubular member and having a through passage communicating with the fluid passage, a rigid device secured to the proximal end of the tubular member and having a first passage communieating with the fluid passage and a second passage independent of the first passage and com municating with the actuator passage, and means slidable through the actuator and second passages for effecting deflection of the distal end portion of the tubular member, said means in cluding a flexible connector secured at one end to the tip member and extending through and slidable in the actuator passage, a rod slidable in the second passage and secured to the other end of the flexible connector, and means carried by the rod for controlling sliding movement thereof in one direction with respect to the device.

3. In a catheter, an elongated flexible tubular member having a fluid passage and an actuator passage, a tip member secured to the distal end of the tubular member and having a through passage communicating with the fluid passage, a rigid device secured to the proximal end of the tubular member, said device including a stem and a pair of arms carried by and diverging from the stem, said device having a first passage extending through the stem and one of the arms and communicating with the fluid passage and a second passage extending through the stem and the other arm and communicating with the actuator passage, and means secured to the tip member and slidable through the actuator and second passages for effecting deflection of the distal end portion of the tubular member, said means including a flexible connector extending through the actuator passage.

4. In a catheter, an elongated flexible tubular member having a fluid passage and an actuator passage, a tip member secured to the distal end of the tubular member and having a through passage communicating with the fluid passage, a generally Y-shaped device secured to the proximal end of the tubular member, said device including a stem, a first arm and a second arm, each arm being connected at one end to the stem, said device having a first passage extending through the stem and the first arm and communicating with the fluid passage and a second passage extending through the stem and the second arm and communicating with the actuator passage, and means slidable through the actuator and second passages for effecting deflection of the distal end portion of the tubular member, said means including a flexible connector secured at one end to the tip member and extending through the actuator passage, a rod slidable in the second passage and secured to the other end of the connector, and means for limiting sliding movement of the rod along the second passage in one direction.

5. A catheter in accordance with claim 4, wherein the last mentioned means threadedly engages the rod and is adapted to bear against an end of the device.

6. A catheter in accordance with claim 4, wherein the rod extends beyond the other end of the second arm, gripping means at the outer end of the rod, the last mentioned means threadedly engaging the rod intermediate the gripping means and the second arm and being adapted to bear against the second arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

